Alyssa Valdez at the panel of the UAAP volleyball tournanent. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Alyssa Valdez said it herself that she’s proud that the two schools she went to in high school and in college are duking it out in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball finals.
University of Santo Tomas, the institution where Valdez got her high school education, and Ateneo, where she received her collegiate education, are playing for the 2019 title with the Golden Tigresses holding a 1-0 series lead.
Valdez said she’s just thankful that both UST and Ateneo are in the finals and even though the series is not over, she’s already treating the two schools as champions in their own right.
“I’m just thankful that both of my schools are in the championship round, in this incredibly difficult stage of the tournament,” said Valdez in Filipino Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
“UST taught me passion and dedication while Ateneo gave me that heartstrong spirit, but of course both taught me to be a hardworking student.”
Valdez won three titles and three MVPs as a Junior Golden Tigress and she carried over that success when she became a Lady Eagle earning two championships and three MVPs.
When asked whom she will celebrate with, Valdez just gave a “why not both?” shrug.
“Whom will I celebrate with? I think we can all celebrate together because we’re a volleyball community and I’m just really lucky that my two schools are here,” said Valdez. “It’s their time to show everyone what they’re capable of.”